Common belief: Arsenic immediately damages plumbing and appliances
Arsenic, unlike elements that cause corrosion or scaling, does not directly harm household fixtures or appliances. Its primary concern relates to health when consumed over time, rather than damage to pipes or water heaters. Therefore, the first impacts a home might notice are not from plumbing failure but from water quality assessments focused on arsenic presence.
Common belief: Arsenic in local water originates from plumbing or surface contamination
In New Castle County's aquifer 125RCCS, arsenic in groundwater typically originates from natural geologic sources rather than household plumbing or surface-level contamination. This element leaches into water from soil and rock formations at depths of 66 to 300 feet, as reflected in US Geological Survey sampling of 23 wells. The water distribution system itself does not add arsenic in this area, underscoring the importance of understanding groundwater conditions.
Common belief: Arsenic measurements directly indicate health risks above federal limits
The 24 samples taken between June 2015 and August 2024 showed arsenic levels ranging from 0.11 to 26.8 micrograms per liter (µg/L), with a median of 3.25 µg/L. Importantly, none of these results surpassed the federal arsenic maximum contaminant level (MCL), which means no sample breached the legally enforceable safety limit. Detection of arsenic does not equate to a violation or immediate health hazard but signals the need for household-specific testing to understand actual water quality.
Common belief: Median and range figures fully describe your home's arsenic levels
While USGS data presents a median of 3.25 µg/L and a range up to 26.8 µg/L for 23 wells, these statistics offer area-wide insight rather than precise values for any single well or home. Your water’s arsenic concentration can only be accurately determined through certified laboratory tests on your specific water supply. This distinction avoids assuming the area's highest detected concentrations apply directly to your household water.
Common belief: Aesthetic standards for arsenic are identical to health-based limits
Secondary standards for water aesthetics differ from federal health-based limits and can relate to taste, staining, or other non-health effects. Arsenic does not have a secondary standard because its concern centers on long-term exposure health risks rather than aesthetic qualities. Therefore, while water may taste or look acceptable, testing for arsenic remains essential to confirm safety in drinking water.
Choosing the right treatment equipment depends on understanding these factors and your own water’s test results. The C-Series Arsenic Filter system ships ready to configure and is designed specifically to reduce arsenic concentrations in household water supplies. This system provides a documented solution when testing shows levels that warrant treatment.
In summary, government sampling in New Castle County's aquifer 125RCCS provides valuable regional data but cannot replace certified lab testing of your home water supply. Recognizing how arsenic enters groundwater and what the measured range signifies helps guide informed choices about treatment options like the C-Series Arsenic Filter.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2024-08-20. These figures describe groundwater sampled in this area. They are not a test of any individual private well - only a test of that well can establish its own water.
On record: U.S. Geological Survey sampling of Arsenic in the 125RCCS aquifer (New Castle County): 24 results from 23 wells, median 3.25 ug/L, range 0.11-26.8 ug/L; none above any federal threshold